How to Install a Washer Pedestal

by Cecilia Harsch

Raise your washer by installing a pedestal.

Front load washing machines changed the dynamics of doing the laundry. Rather than load and unload the washer from the top, you must bend down to place the dirty laundry in the washer and pull the clean laundry out. While this may not make much difference to some, others may find it uncomfortable and an inconvenience. Installing a washer pedestal to the bottom of your washer raises the appliance anywhere from 10 to 12 inches. The additional height can help make doing the laundry a bit easier, plus some pedestals have drawers that provide you with extra storage space.

Washer Preparation

1

Grab the power cord behind the washer and pull it out of the wall outlet. Pull the washer away from the wall slightly to access the water hoses.

2

Place a bucket behind the washer. Turn off the two water supply valves. Unscrew the water hoses from the supply valves just like you would when removing a garden hose. Lower each hose into the bucket to capture any water remaining in the hoses.

3

Move the washer away from the wall to gain access to both sides of the washer or to give you enough room to lay the washer on its left side.

Pedestals Secured to Washer Floor

1

Lay a blanket on the floor along the left side of your washer. Gently lower the washer’s left side onto the blanket. Do not lay the washer on its right side as this could damage the washer’s transmission.

2

Remove the feet from the washer. Use either pliers or your fingers to twist them counterclockwise until they release from the bottom of the washer cabinet.

3

Pull the drawer from the pedestal if it has one. Place the top of the pedestal against the floor of the washer. Make sure the front of the pedestal aligns with the front of the washer.

4

Install the bolts or screws into the mounting locations marked on the pedestal. Depending on the manufacturer, the pedestal attaches with hex-head bolts, sheet metal screws or hex-head screws. You need a socket set or hex-key set to secure the pedestal to the washer.

5

Attach the leveling feet to the pedestal if they are not installed. Use the feet provided with the pedestal, twisting them clockwise. Some manufacturers install the leveling feet during the manufacturing process.

6

Raise the washer to its upright position. Replace the drawer in the pedestal if you removed it.

7

Put a level on the top of the washer. Using an adjustable wrench, raise the feet on the pedestal by turning them counterclockwise or lower them by turning them clockwise. Continue adjusting the pedestal feet up and down until the washer is level from back to front and left to right.

8

Push the washer and pedestal back into position. Reconnect the water hoses and plug the washer into the wall.

Bracket-Secured Pedestals

1

Lift the washer with the help of an assistant. Place the washer on top of the pedestal. Make sure the washer’s feet are inserted in the slots on top of the pedestal.

2

Put a level on the top of the washer. Use an adjustable wrench to raise the feet on the washer by turning them counterclockwise, or to lower them by turning them clockwise. Continue to adjust the feet until the washer is level from back to front and left to right as it sits on the pedestal.

3

Line up the mounting holes in the brackets with the predrilled holes in the left and right sides of the pedestal. Attach the brackets to the pedestal with the provided sheet metal screws. Two screws attach each of the four brackets to the pedestal.

4

Remove the adhesive backing from the brackets. Push the brackets against the sides of the washer cabinet.

5

Put the level back on top of the washer. Adjust the pedestal feet until the washer is level from front to back and right to left.

6

Push the washer and pedestal back into place. Reconnect the water hoses and plug the washer into the wall.

About the Author

Cecilia Harsch has been writing professionally since 2009. She writes mainly home improvement, health and travel articles for various online publications. She has several years of experience in the home-improvement industry, focusing on gardening, and a background in group exercise instruction. Harsch received her Certified Nurses Assistant license in 2004. She attended Tarrant County College and studied English composition.

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